Emperor Jarret Tenebe, the acting chairman of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest and prosecute Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for allegedly forging his voter’s card, DAILY POST reported.
In a letter dated July 3rd, Tenebe asserted his petition was in his capacity as a voter and a law-abiding citizen whose interests would be compromised if an unqualified person were allowed to participate in the elections.
He accused Ighodalo of presenting forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the public.
According to Tenebe’s petition, “The said Asuerinme Ighodalo has presented these documents to mislead the public and claim his party ticket based on fraudulent and crooked foundations.”
Tenebe stated that Ighodalo presented a voter’s card with VIN no. 90FS B195 4629 6818 630, purportedly issued by INEC, claiming it was registered at Unit 3 Idiror-Idirior Primary School in Ewohinmi Ward 1, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State. However, Tenebe alleges that this registration does not exist in INEC's records.
“A certified true copy of the voter register obtained from INEC revealed that Asuerinme Ighodalo is not a registered voter in Unit 3 of Ward 1 in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State as claimed,” Tenebe’s petition stated.
Tenebe expressed his belief that the voter card being paraded by Ighodalo was forged, urging the authorities to take immediate action.
In response, Rev. Olu Martins, the Deputy Director of Media and Publicity for the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, dismissed Tenebe’s allegations.
He stated, “The case is subjudice because one of the aspirants, Anselm Ojezua, is in court on the same issue. The APC acting chairman is interested in headlines. Only INEC can say that its document has been forged because it has the power to prosecute. People should not take him seriously.”
Martins also criticized Tenebe’s credibility, noting past allegations made by Tenebe, including an accusation against the impeached former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, of stealing his wristwatch.
“What he is doing is to divert people from focusing on their incapable and incompetent governorship candidate,” Martins added.